Decision Maker: Chief Executive
Decision status: Recommendations Approved
Is Key decision?: Yes
Is subject to call in?: No
Without approval for funding it will not be
possible to operate the targeted testing at scale that is part of
Oldham’s strategy to contain, manage and ultimately defeat
Coronavirus.
The purpose of the report is to gain approval to change the model
of delivery for targeted testing at scale for the next 12 months,
commencing 1st April 2021. The TTaS programme aims to offer twice
weekly testing to people such as those who cannot work from home
and do not have symptoms of coronavirus.
Between the 18th January 2021 and 31st March 2021, Oldham has been
delivering a targeted community testing programme, based on the
national Community Testing programme. Much of the current delivery
model was able to mobilise at pace as the Council drew upon
exemptions to procurement rules. To deliver at scale there were no
alternatives to the current providers and current operating
model.
Funding is based on a payment by results method with the Government
allocating £14 per completed test. The Council has developed
a model that can support a high volume of people to undertake twice
weekly testing.
Although the letter from Lord Bethell dated 24th December 2020
stated that Local Authorities would not be out of pocket where
reasonable measures had been taken to minimise costs, we are
unclear at this point how the reimbursement will operate, to what
coverage of deficit it will extend to and over what time
period.
The model has since been refined to bring costs down, reducing
bays, days and hours of operation and increasing outputs of each
operatives. This has drastically reduced the staffing costs, but
site fees remain high.
The government has stated that this programme is to run to the end
of June 2021, but there is every indication that there will be a
requirement to deliver this for the longer term. This will require
a new model that is more financially resilient and that requires a
less intensive ask on across a breadth of Team Oldham staff.
A new model is proposed – that being a clinic based
multi-site delivery model for example a pharmacy-led model where
there are no direct site costs, no direct staffing costs, no direct
clinical waste costs, no additional clinical governance to be
commissioned nor additional clinical insurance requirements.
The proposal is to develop a commissioning framework for a clinic
based multi-site delivery model for example a pharmacy-led model
whereby individual entities can bid to deliver tenders.
Tender 1 will be the delivery of LFT tests at a clinic/ pharmacy
site paid on units of activity.
Tender 2 outreach and training testing provision payable based on a
unit of activity.
It is proposed that clinics/pharmacies are asked to bid for a
12-month contract with an option to extend for a further 12
months.
RESOLVED - That
Agree to extend the TTaS programme for up to 12months under a new
delivery model that is most cost effective and that can be more
easily stood down if required and approve the decision to proceed
to tender the opportunity. Agree delegated authority to the
director of public health in consultation with the portfolio holder
for COVID-19 to award any contracts.
Option 1 – Agree to extend the TTaS
programme for up to 12months under a new delivery model that is
most cost effective and that can be more easily stood down if
required and approve the decision to proceed to tender the
opportunity. Agree delegated authority to the director of public
health in consultation with the portfolio holder for COVID-19 to
award any contracts.
Option 2 – Stand down the targeted testing at scale on the
31st March 2021.
Option 3 – Continue with the existing model, lean on
exemption to procurement rules and maintain the current provider
for clinical governance and potentially incur a cumulative
deficit.
Option 2 – Stand down the targeted
testing at scale on the 31st March 2021.
Option 3 – Continue with the existing model, lean on
exemption to procurement rules and maintain the current provider
for clinical governance and potentially incur a cumulative
deficit.
Other reasons / organisations consulted
Market engagement sessions undertaken with
potential providers.
Contact: Anna Tebay, Public Health Specialist Email: anna.tebay@oldham.gov.uk Email: anna.tebay@oldham.gov.uk.
Publication date: 17/03/2021
Date of decision: 16/02/2021
Accompanying Documents: